CCIA Comments Filed To US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade Call China Censorship A Trade Barrier
6/12/2009
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association
submitted its agenda suggestions for the 2009 US-China Joint Commission
on Commerce and Trade meeting this fall. CCIA asked the JCCT to address
China’s Internet censorship tactics, including the latest move to
require censorship software, as a trade barrier. The following quote
can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“The Internet can be a great tool for people to gather information,
communicate and provide a more open, transparent relationship between
government and its citizens. Or, the Internet can be among the greatest
tools for political repression – depending on how a government uses it.
Handing any government further tools to easily block information should
be a concern for countries throughout the world. Countries that have
supported China’s growth as a world player need to take a stand on
issues like Internet censorship, which could send China backwards in
its development as a nation.
“It’s time the US government investigate Internet censorship in
China and elsewhere as a trade issue. When China stifles online freedom
for its citizens, it creates a hostile market environment by preventing
them from fully using new products, applications and services offered
by US tech companies.”
Contact:
Heather Greenfield
202-783-0070 ext 113
Ed Black
202-783-0070 ext 110
